The hawthorn tree - Queen of the May The Hawthorn Tree - Queen Of The May By Glennie Kindred (Originally published at Beltane 1997) The Hawthorn (Crataegus mongyna), Whitethorn, Haegthorn, Quickthorn or May Tree, is one of the most wild, enchanted and sacred of our native trees. Known as the "faerie tree", this beautiful, often gnarled, thorny little tree can live to a great age, and can be found growing in the wildest and harshest of spots. It grows all over Europe, Greece, North Africa and Western Asia and is rich in folklore and legend. Even growing in a town, the Hawthorn retains the spirit of the wild, and some town Hawthorn hedges have probably been there for hundreds of years - long before the town built up around them. The beauty of this tree in full blossom touches all our hearts and holds a special place in our affections. The keyword for the Hawthorn is the heart, and this is reflected in its herbal uses as well as its symbolism and place in folklore and legend.

It has a dual sexual significance, as a symbol of abandonment and fertility, linking it to the Beltane celebrations and revelries, and a later overlay in British folklore of misfortune, chastity and sexual abstinence. This later overlay is now being transformed again, coming forward out of the confines of puritanical Christianity to become once again a positive symbol of the heart through its ability on a subtle level to open the heart to spiritual growth and love. The Hawthorn's many names reflect its uses and properties; Haegthorn is Anglo-Saxon and refers to its use as a hedging plant, and Quickthorn referring to the live hedge or boundary formed by living plants of Hawthorn. Whitethorn refers to the lightness of its bark, contrasted with blackthorn's black bark. In many old tales it is simply referred to as the Thorn, as in "Oak, Ash and Thorn", a particularly potent combination of trees if found growing together. Often it is viewed warily, because of its thorns, and because it is said to be the haunt of faeries, elemental and enchantments. The most common folk name we have for the Hawthorn is the May Tree.

The may blossom appears on the tree at the beginning of May in the south of England, at the time of the Beltane or May Day celebrations, when people and houses were decked with may blossoms ("bringing home the May"). The popular rhyme "Here we go gathering nuts in May" is thought to have been sung by the young men, gathering not "nuts" (which do not grow in May) but "knots" of may blossoms for the May Day Celebrations. These celebrations included a May Queen, representing the Goddess, and a Green May, representing the God and the spirit of the new vegetation. It was known as the "Merry Month" and folk went about "wearing the green", decking themselves in greenery and may blossom. Everywhere, everything is bursting with life and fertility at this time, and Beltane is a celebration of this potential. The cutting of the may blossom had great significance and symbolised the beginning of new life and the onset of the growing season. The ceremony of the maypole and maypole dancing, is symbolic of renewed life and sexual union.

The pole itself is a phallic symbolic, the discus at the top from which the ribbons are tied, represents the female principle, and the wearing of ribbons represents the union of the male and the female and fertility. In some parts of the British Isles, it was the custom to erect a may tree outside every house, or for young men to erect a may tree outside the home of their sweetheart. In folklore, the common practice was to bring a new pole into the village every year representing that year's incarnation of the vegetation of nature spirit. The dancing round the pole would include a green man who would dance around the outside of the maypole dancers. This represented the tree-spirit or nature-spirit who would bless the celebrations and bring fertility to the land. Although it is tradition for the maypole to be a may tree, I look at the Hawthorn and nowhere do I see a straight tall trunk suitable for dancing round in the tradition of the maypole, and I think there is here a much older ceremony of fetching a living tree into the village from the woods.

This living tree would still have its resident treespirit or dryad within the tree, and it would be the tree-spirit itself who was central to the ceremony, and would be honoured and enlisted by the villagers to ensure fertility of the land and a good harvest. This ties in with another old folklore custom of tying ribbons or shreds of ones clothing or rags onto may trees at this time, especially where they grew near wells. These were said to be gifts for the faeries or elementals who were thought to dwell by Hawthorns. Old May Day fertility rites used the sun symbol daisy to protect the participants from the faerie folk who are particularly active then. A twig from an Oak, an Ash and a Thorn, bound together with red thread, was another protective charm, as was the use of bells (on the legs of the dancing Morris men). These customs show the fear and the potency with which country folk viewed these ceremonies, and the Hawthorn, and reflect how watered-down they have become over the years. Of course, one of the main elements that defused the power and potency of the old customs was Christianity, which tried in every way to make the people fear and even reverse their own power symbols.

In later folklore, the Hawthorn becomes a tree of misfortune and bad luck. In Rome, Greece and Britain, the Hawthorn becomes a tree of enforced chastity. What had been a time of revelry, and a celebration of sexual potency, became a time of purification ceremonies. No marriages were allowed during the month of May and up to the Ides of June (mid June) as it was considered unlucky to marry in the Hawthorn month. People went about in old clothes, didn't wash or do anything to make themselves beautiful. "Ne're cast a clout till May be out" is not necessarily referring to the unpredictable British climate, but meant instead "Do not change your old clothes until the unlucky month is over".. (I wonder here if the odd rough and tumble in the woods would then go unnoticed, and there was therefore an advantage in staying in one's old clothes.) There is a similar proverb in northern Spain, referring to this custom of wearing old clothes in May, which cannot be a reference to their weather, which is very settled there by then. The people abstained from sexual intercourse at this time, which is why it was considered not a good month to marry, and the Hawthorn because a symbol of chastity, purity and cleansing.

The May Queen because white, pure and untouchable, and so the Hawthorn's month of the may blossom became transformed from a wild celebration of the sexual and the fertile to its opposite - a period of restraint, waiting, keeping oneself pure, and a preparation for spiritual growth. The intrinsic energy of the hawthorn is focused on the heart centre. The leaves, the flowers and the berries can all be used herbally and are prized as a cardiac tonic. The berries especially are the most effective. The act in a normalising way upon the heart by either stimulating or depressing its activity, depending on the need. Hawthorn berries will gently move the heart to normal function, and may be used safely as a long-term treatment for heart weakness, palpitations, high blood pressure and angina. The Druids used the Hawthorn's properties to strengthen the body in the frailty of old age. Drink an infusion of the berries daily during periods of stress, pressure of work, or for any nervous condition. To make an infusion, pour a cup of boiling water onto two teaspoons (10ml) of the dried berries. Cover and leave to infuse for 20 minutes. Drink three times a day over long periods.

The blossom can be drunk as a tonic tea, which has a beneficial effect on the heart and circulation. It is both necessary and safe to take it over long periods as its action is very gradual. If you collect the flowers, they need to be dried quickly in brown paper bags hung in an airy place and then sealed in an airtight container, as their potency tends to deteriorate quickly. Gather them fresh every year. Another name for the Hawthorn is the "Bread and Cheese Tree". This refers to the young leaves and leaf buds which country folk would eat straight from the tree. They have a sweet nutty flavour and can be added to salads along with the flower buds. A liquor was made from hawthorn buds and brandy. Formerly the timber, when of sufficient size, was used for making small articles, for handles, and because of its hardness, for engravers' blocks. The root wood was used for making boxes and combs. The wood has a fine grain and polishes up beautifully. It was most desirable as a fuelwood as it burns very hot, but it was protected by folktales from being cut wantonly because of its association with faerie.

The etheric signature of the Hawthorn appears to have a pulsation which is similar to that of the human heartbeat. Before taking Hawthorn, herbally or as a flower essence, it is a good idea to tune into your heartbeat for a few minutes, to help you consciously align with the energy of the Hawthorn. The Hawthorn will help release blocked energy, not only releasing stress, but creating an ability to trust and let go of fear. As fear is released, great psychic energy is liberated, primarily in the heart centre. Negative thought-forms in the person's own aura, become dislodged, and the way for the energy of love is opened. For this reason, the Hawthorn is particularly potent as a tool for healing affairs of the heart and can be given as a token of friendship and love. The Holy Thorn of Glastonbury, a Hawthorn tree which flowers at Christmas time as well as in May, has been used as a talisman since it first appeared on the Isle of Avalon around 37ce, soon after the crucifixion of Jesus.

It was said to have grown from the staff (magician's tool) of Joseph of Arimathea when he thrust it into the ground of Wearyall Hill at Glastonbury. Since then, many people have claimed that just touching this tree has helped them in their quest for deeper spiritual understanding , and the leaves are used as a talisman. Talismans are a form of contagious magic, carried on the person. A talisman made from Hawthorn wood will enhance your ability to release love, open the heart and align yourself to your spiritual development. If you wish to cut yourself a piece of live wood from the tree, be sure to do it with reverence and thanks to the tree. I always manage to find plenty of cut Hawthorn in the lanes round about, but I do keep my eyes open for it as it is such a lovely wood to work with and I don't like cutting it. Carve off the bark while it is still green if you can, as it comes off easily before it dries hard onto the wood. Keep the piece of wood outside until you are ready to start work on it, as that will stop it from drying out too quickly.

Carving is more easily done on green wood than when it has dried out, and Hawthorn is an especially hard wood. You might want to carve it with the rune of the Hawthorn which is THORN. Plants grow thorns to protect themselves, and the rune Thorn is ruled, in terms of Western magick, by Jupiter which is a protective, expansive and generous energy, perfectly fitting the energy of the Hawthorn. In many respects, the Teutonic equivalent to Jupiter is Thor, who also was the "Great Protector" of Northern mythology. The Teutons would wear a small representation of the hammer of Thor around their necks, just as the Christians wore a cross, and for much the same reason. It is better to carve one symbol from one system onto your piece of wood rather than several symbols from a variety of systems which weakens the connection (eclectic synthesis). The Ogham letter for the Hawthorn is Huath. Representing good fortune, spiritual growth and psychic protection. it is worth stating a phrase which expresses the purpose for which the talisman is made, as this will help focus its use.

Wear your talisman round your neck, or as a brooch, or simply carry it in your pocket, to touch and gain strength from when needed. Wands can be made in the same way, large wands for ceremonies or smaller ones for healing tools which can be carried in a small pouch or pocket. Hawthorn is traditionally used to make psychic shields, particularly for the innocent and vulnerable. It can be given to help protect a child from any harsh energies in the environment, and particularly at puberty when a child is particularly sensitive and vulnerable, and in need of psychic protection. This aspect is also reflected in its use as a hedging plant, not only for its thick impenetrable growth, but also as a psychic shield. A Hawthorn globe can be made, which is a charm ball, of its twigs and foliage. Traditionally made at first light on New Year's Day (Samhain) from last year's foliage, and tied with white ribbon. Burn the old charm ball from the previous year on a bonfire of straw, ash twigs and acorns. This represents your old self with all its troubles and sorrows being consumed.

Your new self is forged anew in the new Hawthorn globe which is kept until the next New Year. Whatever you make from Hawthorn, be sure to state your intent, and treat the tree with great respect if you cut the wood. The traditions of its being under the protection of the faeries, and the subtle wild energy of this little tree, should leave you in no doubt of its power. If you wish to learn from the wisdom of the Hawthorn, choose an old tree of great maturity and take time to sit with the tree, opening yourself to its wisdom. The many traditions associated with the Hawthorn, especially around spring and early summer, suggest that its energy is strongest at this time. The Hawthorn's connection to our heart energy has transcended many different aspects of our growth, both within our relationships with ourselves and each other, and in relation to our spiritual connection to the divine within and without. I believe that the Hawthorn is very much involved in humankind's evolution into the Aquarian age of a more open-hearted and humanitarian attitude to life, love and spirituality. I sense a willingness within the Hawthorn's energy to help us and be part of this transformation. BBC Nature - What is Britain's best blossom?

What is Britain's best blossom? By Anna-Louise Taylor and Ben Aviss Reporters, BBC Nature News Both native and Japanese cherry varieties are found all around the UK and usually begin flowering in April Flowers bloom earlier as UK warms After three poor blossom seasons, parts of the UK are again in bloom. What is Britain's best blossom and where is it to be found, asks the BBC's A Question of Nature series? For many people, the change in season from winter to spring is marked when bare tree branches suddenly burst into life, says Juliet Roberts, the editor of Gardens Illustrated. "Blossom is a sure sign that spring has arrived. It has an innocent, simple beauty and its short lifespan is viewed by many cultures as a potent reminder of our own mortality. In pictures: Your photos of blossom "Looking out for what each season has to offer, however ephemeral the moment, is a lovely way of enjoying the here and now," she says. Blossom is the term given to a cluster of flowers that bloom on any plant - so people include magnolia, hawthorn and blackthorn as "blossoming" varieties.

But "blossom trees" tend to be associated with those from the fruiting Prunus genus - cherries, plums and peaches, although they also include Malus - apples and crabapples, and Pyrus - pears. Traditionally though, when people imagine blossom, they think of ornamental cherries. The spring blossom season is right on time this year, gardening experts say "Most people think of cherry blossom because it's the most dense and has a lovely hue," says Ted Hobday, chief guide at the National Fruit Collections at Brogdale Farm, Kent, home to more than 4,000 varieties of fruit tree, some dating back to Roman times. Your sightings via Twitter I saw my first blossom of the year in January! Makes a change from 4ft snowdrifts :) @JulietteAdAstra Loads of blossom down in Helston, Cornwall already! @BenAndFi Blossom out all the way on journey from Bolton to Wigan, two trees in Wigan on Spencer Rd/A49 junc the best ones @NorthWestNosh Yes, plenty of trees here been in blossom for a couple of weeks now. South East London is the place to be!

@HonorOakWI I haven't seen any! But definitely suggest Osterley Park is a good place to spot blossoming! @CCroft21 In Japan, cherry blossom symbolises clouds, and is a metaphor for the ephemeral nature of life. The country is known for its annual cherry blossom festival Hanami, which has its roots in the 5th Century. Wild cherry trees are known as Yama Zakura or mountain cherries, while a group of ornamental garden cultivars are known as Sato Zakura. The most common in Japan is Prunus x yedoensis, thought of as the original Sato Zakura. Many Japanese varieties have been imported to the UK over the years but native species remain popular too. The Natural History Museum is in the third year of its national three-year cherry blossom survey . Interim findings into where cherry trees grow in the UK show Japanese cherry trees are the second most frequently recorded after the wild cherry, with the trees' most popular setting in private gardens. That isn't surprising, according to some of Britain's top gardeners. "Blossom is the portent for the year," says Simon Tetlow, deputy head gardener at Tatton Park, Cheshire.

"It's the promise of things for the year ahead; good crops for later in the year and nice sunshine to be working in as summer approaches. "The first blossoms give that feeling that you've beaten winter and the worst is behind you," he says. Tony Kirkham, the head of the Arboretum at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew "loves blossom". "I think it's a national uplift," he says. "We haven't seen much sun, even though we haven't had much snow or rain this winter. As soon as trees come into blossom, spirits are lifted." The last three blossom seasons have been patchy at best, according to gardening experts. And while it may seem like blossom is early this year, in fact the season is right on time, says Tony Kirkham. "Lots of ornamental plum trees are in flower at the moment. They're a pink and white, fine single flower. Blackthorn will probably start moving quickly into blossom. Hawthorn is usually at the end of April but could be a bit earlier." At Brogdale Farm, Ted Hobday says, the blossom season runs for months.

"All trees flower at different times - the plums are beginning to start now, and plums and pears really come through mid-late March. "Cherry blossom is en masse in mid-April, and depending on the week apple blossom is late April until the third week in May. You will never see all the blossom at the same time." Blossom locations gardeners recommend: Ness Botanic Gardens , South Wirral Features a collection of cherries along with other flowering trees and shrubs The locations of the UK's best blossoms are hotly debated, but the Natural History Museum survey has located trees in the most far-flung corners of the country. The northern-most cherry is in Mainland in the Orkneys, where there are few trees of any kind, the southern-most a bird cherry in Guernsey, and the most westerly a Japanese cherry in the Scilly Isles. The spread of blossoming trees around the UK and the changes in weather in different geographical locations means flowering happens at different times. A good blossom depends on "the conditions experienced the previous year" Boughs should be heavy with blossom in the north by April says Simon Tetlow.

"The blossom in Tatton Park is really strong around Easter and I recommend a visit then. "Other places in the region are Ness Botanic Gardens on the Wirral for a good early show of blossom. Arley Hall and Gardens as well as Dunham Massey are also good." Tony Kirkham has a few recommendations of his own for places to see blossom further south. "Other than Cherry Walk at Kew, good blossoms happen at the Valley Gardens at Windsor Great Park," he says. "Brogdale in Kent is a fantastic place - I always go to look at the blossom there each year. "And Batsford Arboretum is another great place for cherry blossom." But there are factors that could shorten the season in different areas, including heavy rain, which can destroy flowers. "What you want is a fairly chilly and damp January and February, a warm and sunny March, and some rain, not downpours," Ted Hobday says. Tony Kirkham says gardeners and admirers definitely "do not want frost now" as when trees are in blossom, they are at "their most vulnerable" to disease such as blossom wilt, where brown rot infects fruit.

Trees can also be infected by bacterial canker, which causes shotholes to appear on stems and leaves of plums, cherries and related Prunus species. Cankers begin to form in mid-spring and soon afterwards shoots may die back. But a good blossom also depends on the conditions experienced the previous year, says Simon Tetlow. What is Britain's best blossom? "Autumn the previous year is very important for ripening of the wood. At this time of year the nutrients from the leaves are pushed into stems as sugars for the formation of buds throughout winter. Trees aren't completely dormant in winter - buds are developing very slowly." He says factors that affect the timing of blossom are the amount of frost and also the amount of light a plant receives. "There are three dormancy phases in a plant's cycle: early rest, winter rest and after rest. In the after rest period, certain plants require a certain amount of 'frost units' to break dormancy. The minute the temperature increases and the light increases there will be a strong synchronised blossom set in that region.

"Whether it's been a mild or cold year previously, most indigenous species are robust enough to deal with the conditions and tend to blossom at roughly the same time each year. "However, for a lot of the exotic plants such as cherries, the conditions of the previous year affect blossoming more than for indigenous trees." With parts of England already in drought, next year's blossom could be affected says Tony Kirkham. "It's going to be a tough year for trees. Whatever rain happens now will probably be too late, and by June or July it will be a really tough period." Have you seen stunning blossom? Do you have beautiful flowers near you or can you recommend anywhere to see beautiful blossom? Send your comments and images to BBC Nature via our Facebook and Twitter accounts. Additional reporting by Hannah Briggs and Michelle Warwicker. More on This Story May Tree – Myth and Medicine | Whispering Earth May Tree – Myth and Medicine 31 May, 2010 by Lucinda Mark the fair blooming of the Hawthorn Tree, Who, finely clothed in a robe of white, Fills the wanton eye with May’s delight. Chaucer.

Pink and white blossoms of Hawthorn I couldn’t let May disappear without paying homage to the Hawthorn, sacred tree of this month. It has been known by many names, including May Flower, May Tree, White May and simply The May, all referencing the beauty, symbolism and medicine of its blossom at this time of year. In fact the Hawthorn provides medicine most of the year round, not just in its blossom, but its leaves and berries too. Hawthorns on the Sussex Downs, just before flowering. Hawthorn has been common in Britain for millennia, pollen counts showing its presence here before 6,000 BC, and of all our native trees, it is perhaps the most enshrined in myth and legend. From Celtic ceremony, to Arthurian myth, to Christian legend, the Hawthorn has its place in all the stories that shape our land and our hearts. In pagan spirituality, the Hawthorn was a symbol of fertility, youth and sexuality and was considered sacred to the Goddess. It is believed that in Celtic times, most marriages took place at this time of year, usually at Beltaine, the cross quarter festival marking the mid-point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice.

Hawthorn would have been in full bloom, bringing abundant blessings to the newly weds. Today, its historical symbolism and its affinity with the heart have resulted in it being considered the tree of love. Despite marrying in August, we used branches of Hawthorn, among other trees, in our wedding ceremony last year. Reacting against its saucy pagan associations, the Catholic Church made the pure white blossoms a symbol of the Virgin Mary and of chastity. It was also said to be the wood from which the crown of thorns worn by Jesus was made. The Glastonbury Thorn, which flowers once in May and again at Christmas was said to have grown from the staff of Joseph of Arimathea, which took root when he brought Christianity to the British Isles. There are thought to be up to 1,000 species of Hawthorn worldwide, the two most common in the UK are Crataegus monogyna and Crataegus laevigata. Usually white, the blossoms may also be a light or deep pink. Pink Hawthorn In medicine Hawthorn is most commonly associated with the heart and circulatory system. Both the blossoms and berries are useful and many herbalists combine preparations of the two.

The berries and leaves are considered warming and drying whilst the flowers are slightly cooler in nature. Seen as a restorative of the heart, it is non-toxic and can be used safely by most people, though some care must be taken with those already on heart medication, it’s best to check with a qualified herbalist in such cases. In fact Hawthorn is regarded as one of the few Western adaptogenic herbs, having the ability to balance blood pressure, aid in convalescence and regulate sleep. As a herb of Mars it was seen as dynamic and stimulating, however it was also considered an antispasmodic and sedative to the nervous system. Like so many of our multi-faceted herbal allies, it’s impossible to squeeze into any one simple definition. Both flowers and berries are healing to the heart muscle and arteries, being rich in flavonoids and other chemical constituents, I’ll be considering the berries in more depth when they are in season. My own experience is that the berries are slightly more stimulating, partly due to their warming quality, where as the flowers make me feel relaxed, comforted and slightly blissed out. The tea has a lovely subtle honey flavour which eases tension and opens the emotional heart.

Along with Rose, which I recently posted about, I see Hawthorn blossom as the most important remedy for helping open the heart. See how the beautiful blossoms open to reveal their pink stamens, reaching out. Hawthorn blossom -opening the heart One thing that intrigues me is how both the Hawthorn and the Rose have this incredible affinity with easing our emotional barriers and opening us up to feel and embrace our experiences deeply, yet they both have these very protective and somewhat savage thorns. They seem to symbolise how vulnerability and protection are not mutually exclusive, how being open doesn’t mean being weak. After meditating on this a while I came across this great article by American herbalist Jim Mcdonald who speaks of his experience with thorn medicine . Hawthorn’s Thorns I love the Hawthorn unashamedly and use it mostly as a tea, tincture and flower remedy. A tea made from the fresh leaves and blossoms is my favourite but I usually dry some for use later in the year too. Some people hate the distinctive, musky aroma given off by the pollen during May which is supposed to contain triethylamine, one of the first chemicals produced from dead tissue.

To me however, it smells rich and heady and I can always imagine the bees drunkenly loading up on this wonderful springtime treasure! Drying Hawthorn The best trees for spring blossom, nature's own confetti - Telegraph Trees The best trees for spring blossom, nature's own confetti The first flowering of ornamental trees is the promise of months of blossom to come if you plant the right mix Pretty in pink: the Cherry Walk at Kew Gardens Photo: Alamy Comments Nothing lifts the spirits more than a glimpse of blossoming boughs, with pretty pink or white petals falling like confetti on to warming soil. In a vase, these harbingers of spring mark the changing of the seasons, and reassure us that the gardening good times are here to stay. Their beauty may be ephemeral, but luckily there’s a succession of flowering trees, both ornamental and productive, that will see us through from the earliest prunus to the last malus, with lots of glories in between. In deepest winter, the tiny, precocious pink flowers of Prunus x subhirtella 'Autumnalis’ brave the winds and rain.

I have a couple of trees in my garden – saviours in the depths of gloom, they smell subtly of sweet almonds and are clothed later in bronzy foliage turning orange in autumn. Then the prunus take centre stage in my tiny orchard and along the shore near where I live. Sloes and wild cherry cheer the footpaths and lanes, while my damson trees flower their socks off. Early frosts can decimate these blossoms, and cold spells can deter bumblebees, preventing pollination. Even my exotic pink apricot is blooming now on bare stems, vulnerable as she tempts the bees, while my ancient Comice pear is about to burst its fat buds into flower. The morellos, fanned against their north wall and a single cherry 'Napoleon’ flower in April, and the apples blossom from late-April to mid-May, giving my garden wildlife a staggered harvest throughout the autumn. And this year, I’ve added a persimmon Kaki, the Tree of Peace, sole survivor of the Nagasaki bomb, a hardy soul that will flower and fruit for 50 years (from seedsofitaly.com ).

Related Articles Blossom is on the way – but what are the best trees? 07 Mar 2014 The quince (Cydonia oblonga) hasn’t produced its beautiful 2in (5cm) wide pink-and-white flowers yet, but its pubescent leaves are white and hairy, and look from a distance like the prettiest blossom, while the Japanese quinces (Chaenomeles), pruned hard against the fence, have been flowering in white and terracotta red for some time, and their fruits are alsoedible. Although fruit and flowering trees are best planted bare-rooted in the autumn, they are available container-grown all year (from ornamental-trees.co.uk ). Whether they flower in profusion or not is decided during the previous year, but all need their base protected from weeds with suppressant mats 3ft (1m) wide. Dig your hole on the day, don’t add fertiliser, but water well (protect with a guard if rabbits or deer are a problem).

SIX OF THE BEST ORNAMENTAL BLOSSOMING TREES Amelanchier Canadensis, the Snowy Mespilus with starry white flowers, copper leaves turning green then yellow in autumn with edible purply-black berries ( ornamental-trees.co.uk have a fine range of flowering trees). Hawthorn – Crataegus laevigata with lobed glossy leaves with fine autumn colour and red berries. 'Paul’s Scarlet’ has double dark pink blossom, and the cockspur – 'Prunifolia’ has single creamy flowers and dramatic orange autumn colour. Crab apple: Malus 'Royalty’ with dark bronze leaves, dark pink blossom and small deep purple fruits. Self-fertile, with long lasting fruits that can be turned to jelly ( orangepippintrees.co.uk ). Prunus: of the ornamentals bred to produce larger flowers. P. incisa 'Kojo-no-mai’ is pretty, P. serrula has lovely bark, and P. ’Shogetsu’ has large double pink flowers. Pyrus: with scented white blossom, P.

salicifolia 'Pendula’ has elegant grey leaves on weeping branches and P. Calleryana Chanticleer is columnar and hardy. Cercis siliquastrum, the Judas tree with bright pink pea-like flowers on bare stems, then purple seedpods, and pretty heart-shaped leaves that turn yellow ( ashridgetrees.co.uk ). WHERE TO SEE BLOSSOM Although traditionally Seattle, Brooklyn and Washington in the US, Hirosaki in Japan, and Vancouver in Canada are renowned for their Cherry Blossom and Hanami Festivals, a wander down any suburban street in this country will reward you with a floriferous show. The Cherry Walk at Kew (kew.org) has volunteer-guided tours of spring bulbs and blossom till the end of April at noon each day. The Cherry Blossom Festival at Alnwick in Northumberland ( alnwickgarden.com ) highlights a range of Japanese cultural events: installations, art, music and origami, and the largest collection of Prunus 'Tai Haku’ from May 9-12. A springtime celebration at the blossoming orchards of the Marcle Ridge area of Herefordshire.

Cider and perry tasting at the village hall in Putley, May 4-5 ( bigapple.org.uk ). Kensington Gardens, near the Albert Memorial, Queen Mary’s Garden in Regent’s Park and Richmond Park’s Isabella Plantation all have numerous flowering trees. Westonbirt and Batsford Arboreta in Gloucestershire have many trees in blossom. Brogdale near Faversham in Kent is holding Hanami Blossom Tours from April 3. They include its 323 fruiting varieties and 42 ornamental cherries. Take a picnic. (To book: brogdalecollections.co.uk ; 01795 536250.) Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) - Woodland Trust Woodland Trust Search the Woodland Trust website Search This species is commonly found growing in hedgerows, woodland and scrub. (Photo: WTML) Leaves are around 6cm in length and have distinctive toothed lobes. (Photo: P Sterry/WTML) Hawthorn flowers are highly scented, white or occasionally pink with five petals.

(Photo: P Sterry/WTML) Hawthorns have both male and female parts on the same flower - this is called hermaphrodite. (Photo: WTML) Flowers are highly scented, white or occasionally pink with five petals, and grow in flat-topped clusters. (Photo: WTML) Deep red fruits known as 'haws' develop after pollination. (Photo: P Sterry/WTML) A bunch of hawthorn berries or haws. (Photo: P Sterry/WTML) Hawthorn can be identified in winter by the spines that emerge from the same point as the buds. This distinguishing them from blackthorn in winter which has buds on the spines. (Photo: WTML) The bark is brown-grey, knotted and fissured. (Photo: P Sterry/WTML) Hawthorn is also known as the May-tree, due to its flowering period. (Photo: WTML) Mature hawthorn trees are characterised by their dense, thorny habit. (Photo: P Sterry/WTML) Common hawthorn is a deciduous tree native in the UK and across Europe.

Common name: common hawthorn, hawthorn Scientific name: Crataegus monogyna Family: Rosaceae UK provenance: native Interesting fact: also known as the May-tree, due to its flowering period, it is the only British plant named after the month in which it blooms. What does hawthorn look like? Overview: mature trees can reach a height of 15m and are characterised by their dense, thorny habit, though they can grow as a small tree with a single stem. The bark is brown-grey, knotted and fissured, and twigs are slender and brown and covered in thorns. It often hybridises with the UK’s other native hawthorn, Midland hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata). Both species are similar and can be hard to tell apart. Leaves: around 6cm in length and comprised of toothed lobes, which cut at least halfway to the middle or 'mid-rib'. They turn yellow before falling in autumn. Flowers: hawthorns are hermaphrodite, meaning both male and female reproductive parts are contained within each flower.

Flowers are highly scented, white or occasionally pink with five petals, and grow in flat-topped clusters. Fruits: once pollinated by insects, they develop into deep red fruits known as 'haws'. Look out for: the deeply lobed leaves, spiny twigs and haws (berries). Could be confused with: Midland hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata). The flowers of common hawthorn have a single stigma, whereas Midland hawthorn has two. The common hawthorn fruits have a single seed, whereas the fruits of Midland hawthorn have two seeds. The leaves of common hawthorn are not as deeply cut. Identified in winter by: the spines emerge from the same point as the buds; distinguishing them from blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) in winter which has buds on the spines. Where to find hawthorn This species is commonly found growing in hedgerows, woodland and scrub. It will grow in most soils, but flowers and fruits best in full sun. Value to wildlife Common hawthorn can support more than 300 insects.

It is the foodplant for caterpillars of many moths, including the hawthorn, orchard ermine, pear leaf blister, rhomboid tortrix, light emerald, lackey, vapourer, fruitlet mining tortrix, small eggar and lappet moths. Its flowers are eaten by dormice and provide nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinating insects. The haws are rich in antioxidants and are eaten by many migrating birds such as redwings, fieldfares and thrushes, as well as small mammals. The dense thorny foliage makes fantastic nesting shelter for many species of bird. Mythology and symbolism In Britain, it was believed that bringing hawthorn blossom into the house would be followed by illness and death, and in Medieval times it was said that hawthorn blossom smelled like the Great Plague. Botanists later learned that the chemical trimethylamine in hawthorn blossom is also one of the first chemicals formed in decaying animal tissue, so it is not surprising that hawthorn flowers are associated with death.

How we use hawthorn Common hawthorn timber is a creamy brown colour, finely grained and very hard. It can be used in turnery and engraving, and was used to make veneers and cabinets, as well as boxes, tool handles and boat parts. It also makes good firewood and charcoal, and has a reputation for burning at high temperatures. The haws can be eaten raw but may cause mild stomach upset. They are most commonly used to make jellies, wines and ketchups. It has long been used as a hedging plant and is a popular choice in wildlife gardens. Threats

Question: The 'May' blossom flowers on which tree?
Answer: Hawthorn